Customer Reviews

Singing in the Rain

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My wife says she can always tell when I've been listening to this CD because I go around whistling and smiling. It's that kind of music. Cliff Edwards came to a sad end, but at one time he was one of the great natural singers of pop tunes. Like Louis Armstrong, he has fun with every song, and the fun is infectious. Some of the songs are hokey alright, but hey in fifty years whatever you think is hip is likely to sound hokey too. And some of the tunes, like Singing In The Rain and Over The Rainbow are timeless. Edwards has a great voice and he plays the ukulele like nobody else. Here it's just him and his uke and some un-named bass player, and the format suits him perfectly. His scat singing provides the extra 'instruments' and his falsetto provides the other voices. His energy and love of the music comes straight at you like sunshine through a fresh cleaned window. It's always summer with Ukulele Ike.

Although he excelled on the Hawaiian ukulele, Cliff Edwards tilted towards the standards rather than island-themed material. On these 1943 wartime radio performances, recorded in NYC for Lang-Worth Transcriptions, Edwards is heard in his most unadorned state, just him, his uke and a standup bass. These recordings are less bouncy and more matter-of-fact than most of his studio recordings, but it's also nice to hear him in such a stripped-down setting, without an orchestra to drown him out. These recordings may be too sparse-sounding for some, but they still reveal a master entertainer, performing in a relaxed, easygoing setting. Brings a lot of these old songs home in a unique fashion.

A must have album for anyone who is a fan of sweet music. It's just Cliff, his uke and an upright bass for the most part. Wonderful! A great introduction to uke music. A great introduction to the vocal music of teens thru thirties.

BUY THIS RECORD!

Wait till you hear the passion and the wit with which Cliff sings the famous Billy Rose number, "The Night Is Young (And You're So Beautiful." I love the optimism and the subtlety of the lyrics, "When the lady is kissable, and the evening is cool, any dream is permissable--in the heart of a fool." Elsewhere the track uses the word "overamorous"--when was the last time you heard that in a song lyric?

Cliff was born in Hannibal, Missouri and had the class to brag that he hailed from the same burg as none other than Tom Sawyer. Like Tom Sawyer, he was a boy at heart. Even his trademark uke had a boyish charm to it, and he could wield it like nobody's business. It is said that at the top of his popularity, music stores were selling ukeleles at a rate of 250 a week, a feat unmatched ever since.

This LP, made in the 40s while Cliff's voice had attained a golden lustre, shows him at his best. It's simple, and unadorned, but you will surely get a tear in your eye when you hear him whisper:

"Like a bolt out of the blue, fate steps in to see you through/
When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true."

It didn't happen for Cliff Edwards, but it can still happen to you.

This is a fantastic recording. The sparse and jazzy arrangements allow you hear Edward's voice and fine ukelele playing without an orchestra hiding his music. The selection of tunes is fabulous and really spotlights his unique sweet voice. And his version of "If I Had You" is stunning - just Edward's and a bass. Wow. The Best.

People have forgotten this star of twenties and thirties. It is a crying shame that someone so talented is unknown today. All I can say is buy this cd and listen to "I Can't Give You Anything but Love". That song alone is worth the price to me. The other pop standards on this collection shine as well. Buy It Now!

Cliff Edwards, what a talent! Nobody knows who he is anymore, but his music is a segement or original Americana, just listen to this CD and you'll be feeling great. It's a real pleasure to listen to music so stripped down yet lyrical nevertheless. And there are 32 great tracks on this CD (even though they run a couple of minutes each, each one is a gem)! I would love to see a movie made about Cliff's life someday, a true American tragedy. This recording was made from a radio transcription in 1943, long after Cliff had initially made his mark. He was singing "scat' back in the 20's before that style of singing even had a name. And don't forget that he is the voice of Jiminy Cricket ("When You Wish Upon A Star")!

Cliff Edwards was a big star in the 20s and 30s. No, he wasn't a handsome crooner and he didn't enter into the Swing movement. His career as a successful singer was too brief. But just listen to this wonderful album from ASV/Living Era. I was captivated by the first song! I was totally entranced listening to his excellent voice and unique style of singing. He can be lighthearted on songs like "Who Takes Care of the Caretaker's Daughter?" but he can also put his heart into songs such as "I Can't Give You Anything But Love". Today people think Gene Kelly was the originator of "Singin" In the Rain" but just listen to Cliff sing it! It was his song and a momumental hit for him. He introduced the song in "Hollywood Revue of 1929", an MGM film that was a box office hit. Cliff Edwards had a knack for comedy, after all, he knew he was not the type women would swoon over, but he was a very superb musician and this CD is evidence of his diverse talent. I love this album and I am so glad I have it in my collection of music from the 20s and 30s. Why Cliff isn't given the credit due to him as a innovative musician is a mystery. If you like Jazz from this era, this CD is for you!!! I cannot recommend it highly enough. The notes that Cliff could reach are amazing. He transformed every song he recorded into his own. That shows true artistry. If anyone knows who he is, they know him for being the voice of Jiminy Cricket which he was excellent at but he left behind these superb recordings. From songs with a touch of humour to heart-felt songs all done so very, very well. This CD is seventy-three minutes of great music from a truly gifted musician. Buy it!!! You won't regret it. You will be captivated by his music. I hestitated but I remembered his great performance in "Hollywood Revue of 1929" of "Singing In the Rain". I have come to appreciate and treasure Cliff Edwards' talent so much more from this superb collection of his recordings. I believe that you will too. I would give it six stars if I could but it deserves five stars. Don't hesitate and treat yourself to a talented artist whom you will thoroughly enjoy.

OK, I could bore you with my useless knowledge of music from this era, or enter into a long technical discussion which I'm sure you care nothing about.
So let's get down to business. THIS IS A GREAT CD.
Beautiful songs, lovely voice, good quality recording. . . what more could you ask for?
BUY IT NOW BEFORE IT GOES OUT OF PRINT!

Before he was "Jiminy Cricket", Cliff was a great jazz skat singer. These recordings capture his sense of rhythm, range and inventiveness. His range is amazing. He can go from baritone to counter tenor effortlessly.

I've often thought that the Disney drawings of Jiminy Cricket were intentionally made to look like Cliff.